Neighbors warring over Chabad of North Hollywood expansion project

The encounter between the neighbors came near dusk on Rosh Hashana, on what should have been a holy evening in Sherman Oaks. As the two men passed on the sidewalk, Jeff Gantman called out to Rabbi Aaron Abend. "Happy New Year," he offered.

"Why are you doing this?" Abend demanded, turning to confront his neighbor. "You're either doing this out of love or hate," he added, his eyes bright with anger. "And I don't think it's love."

The cause of the dispute loomed directly behind the men: Steel beams, concrete walls, and a faded drawing of what Chabad of North Hollywood's new compound will look like - if it's completed as planned.

In August, a judge sided with Chabad opponents who argue the city broke its own planning rules in approving the 12,000-square- foot building in a residential neighborhood.

Now, the City Council will have to reconsider the project it approved in 2009. It could sign off on it again - allowing the growing congregation to complete construction - or bow to the chorus of discontent from nearby homeowners and recommend downsizing the compound.

Opponents have argued the Chabad of North Hollywood expansion, which includes a new Hebrew school, synagogue, lecture area, and playground, is too large with too little parking for their leafy stretch of Chandler Boulevard, where homes start at $1 million.

Supporters say a larger building is needed, but an abundance of parking spaces is unnecessary because observant Jews walk to the synagogue on the Sabbath. What's really fueling the opposition, said some supporters of Chabad, is a fear that Orthodox families will dominate the neighborhood.

In the past six months, tensions over the project have spilled over into daily interactions. One neighbor got into a shouting match with Abend over a crack in his driveway, allegedly caused by a construction truck. Another neighbor says the rabbis refuse to acknowledge her when she passes them on the street.

And among friends who've taken opposing sides, the building is an off-limits topic of conversation.

"My husband and I were surprised to see who opposes it," said Janet Bernstein, who supports Chabad. "We just don't bring it up."

For decades, the Chabad of North Hollywood, which opened in 1981, enjoyed a good relationship with its neighbors. Rabbis donated tables for the annual block party on Chandler Boulevard. In return, neighbors served kosher food.

Gantman, who is Jewish, as are many of the opponents, said he had a respectful relationship with Abend when they first met at a neighborhood council meeting.

Through his attorney Benjamin Reznik, Abend declined to comment for this story. Abend owns a general contracting company and is also the builder on the project.

Issues began in 2008, when Chabad announced plans to tear down its 1,400-square-foot space and build a 16,000-square-foot building.

Neighbors protested the size of the project and a parking plan that called for five spots for a congregation of more than 60 families. The City Planning Commission rejected Chabad's plan, as well as a compromise offered by a city planner for a 10,000-square- foot building.

But the City Council took control of the project. Then-Councilman Jack Weiss, who represented the neighborhood, announced he'd come up with a deal: A 12,000-square-foot building. And the council quickly approved the project at the new size with no debate.

The move stunned opponents. They sued, arguing the city had circumvented the normal process of development approval.

An appellate judge sided with the group in August, and ordered the City Council to fully explain why it overruled the city planner's recommendation for a 10,000-square-foot building. The council is expected to weigh in by the end of the year.

Reznik, the attorney for Chabad, believes the council's lack of explanation was simply an oversight that can be easily remedied.

"We're confident the City Council will go back and fully explain why they made their decision and the building will go forward," he said.

But with a court ruling on their side, opponents are now seeking to shut down the construction site - where trucks and cranes continue to arrive - and pressure the City Council to reconsider the project.

The situation "is a mess," said City Councilman Paul Koretz, who succeeded Weiss.

"Honestly, the project is a little larger than it could have been," he added, agreeing the approvals were rushed through by the city. "I'm supportive of both sides, and I would like to satisfy both sides. But I don't know if that's possible."

At a hearing at City Hall last week, opponents argued the building permits for the project are invalid. And in the next few days, they'll head back to court to seek a work stop order.

"We have no problem with (Chabad) building a house of worship," David Levinson, a local resident, told the council. "No one opposes that. But we are opposed to the illegal and inappropriate size that is being built."

For supporters of Chabad, the constant legal challenges are enraging.

"With every stop work order, I want to put a sign on my lawn, that says `You should be ashamed of yourself,"' said Bernstein. "Why do you want to stop a religious institution?"

What's really driving opponents, she believes, is a fear that Orthodox families "will become the majority" in the neighborhood.

Asked about Bernstein's remarks, Gantman sounded weary.

"It's not even about Chabad anymore," he said. "It's about the city process."